Best 7 Tofu Spinach Pesto Recipes

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Tofu spinach pesto is a creamy sauce made with a blend of fresh spinach, basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and a touch of lemon juice. This versatile condiment can be used to dress pasta, vegetables, grilled meats, or as a spread for sandwiches and wraps. With its vibrant green color and unique nutty flavor, tofu spinach pesto is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional pesto sauces, making it a versatile ingredient to add a pop of flavor and nutrition to various dishes.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SPINACH PESTO



Spinach Pesto image

I don't like nuts in my pesto and I like spinach better than basil so I came up with this fast pesto recipe and I love it. I never measure but I tried to put it into measurments. It's best not to warm the Pesto mixture as it doesn't need it.

Provided by Jamilahs_Kitchen

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups spinach (baby spinach or regular spinach)
1/2 lemon, juice and zest of
1 -2 garlic clove (pressed)
1/3 cup olive oil
1 ounce parmigiano-reggiano cheese (grated)
1/4 cup sun-dried tomato (optional add as much as you like) (optional)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 lb pasta (thin spagetti, spagetti or Angel Hair pasta)

Steps:

  • In the food processor put in the spinach,lemon zest, lemon juice,garlic,olive oil,salt,pepper and cheese (sundried tomatoes). Process til spinach is small and everything is well combined.
  • Meanwhile boil pasta til Al Dente.
  • Pour Pesto mixture into large Pasta bowl and toss in hot pasta to coat and 1 or 2 tbs of pasta water if needed.
  • Serve immediately with chicken or eat alone.
  • Enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 618.2, Fat 21.7, SaturatedFat 4, Cholesterol 5.1, Sodium 430, Carbohydrate 86.8, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 2.2, Protein 18.1

SPINACH, TOFU AND SESAME STIR-FRY



Spinach, Tofu and Sesame Stir-Fry image

You can serve this simple stir-fry with grains or noodles, or (my preference) use it as a filling for a whole wheat pita pocket.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, easy, quick, weekday, main course

Time 15m

Yield 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 pound tofu, cut in small dice
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon grated or minced fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
Soy sauce to taste
1 6-ounce bag baby spinach, rinsed
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Steps:

  • Heat the canola oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet or wok, and add the tofu. Stir-fry until the tofu is lightly colored, three to five minutes, and add the garlic, ginger and chili flakes. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about one minute, and add soy sauce to taste. Add the spinach and stir-fry until the spinach wilts, about one minute. Stir in the sesame seeds, and add more soy sauce to taste. Remove from the heat.
  • Using tongs, transfer the spinach and tofu mixture to a serving bowl, leaving the liquid behind in the pan or wok. Drizzle with the sesame oil, and add more soy sauce as desired. Serve with rice or other grains, or noodles. You may also use it as a filling for whole wheat pita bread.

SPINACH PESTO



Spinach Pesto image

Serve this vibrant pesto on pasta, pizza, sandwiches and more. If you don't have fresh oregano on hand, you can omit it. -Susan Westerfield, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 15m

Yield 2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups fresh baby spinach
2 cups loosely packed basil leaves
1 cup grated Romano cheese
2 tablespoons fresh oregano
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 cup olive oil
Hot cooked pasta

Steps:

  • Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add the walnuts, lemon juice and zest; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream., Serve desired amount of pesto with pasta. Transfer remaining pesto to ice cube trays. Cover and freeze up to 1 month., To use frozen pesto: Thaw in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Serve with pasta.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177 calories, Fat 18g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 205mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

SPICY RICE NOODLES WITH CRISPY TOFU AND SPINACH



Spicy Rice Noodles With Crispy Tofu and Spinach image

Herby noodles, chile oil and crisp tofu come together in this spicy, filling bowl that will disappear before you know it. But the component parts are just as valuable on their own: Make crisp baked tofu once, and you may never pan-fry cubes again. Make a scallion-basil paste on your cutting board, and forget about pesto from the food processor. And make a little extra spicy sesame oil, so that you can swirl it into scrambled eggs and smashed cucumber salads.

Provided by Sarah Jampel

Categories     dinner, lunch, weekday, noodles, main course

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

12 to 14 ounces firm tofu
1/2 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
8 ounces wide rice noodles
3 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons peanut oil
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
1 (1-inch) piece of ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon red-pepper flakes, to taste
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, plus more for garnish (optional)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup roughly chopped basil, packed
3 large or 4 small scallions, roughly chopped
3 cups baby spinach, packed
1/2 lime
Toasted sesame oil, for drizzling (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. As the oven heats, press the tofu (you can do this by sandwiching the block in paper towels and placing a cutting board, plus a heavy pot, can or book on top).
  • Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a medium bowl. Add the salt and oils, and toss to combine.
  • Sprinkle the cornstarch, panko and sesame seeds, if using, and toss gently so the tofu cubes are coated.
  • Spread on the prepared sheet and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping once, until golden-brown and crisp.
  • While the tofu bakes, start the noodles: Put the dry rice noodles in a big, wide bowl. Fill a kettle, bring the water to a boil, and pour the boiling water over the noodles to cover. Set aside for 6 to 10 minutes, until the noodles are fully rehydrated and soft. (Time may vary by brand.) Then drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Transfer noodles to a large bowl.
  • As the noodles soak, prepare the spicy sesame oil: In a small pot, combine sesame oil, peanut oil, garlic, ginger, red-pepper flakes and sesame seeds. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook on the lowest heat for 10 to 12 minutes, until the garlic slices turn golden.
  • Meanwhile, on your cutting board, make a small mound with the teaspoon of salt. Place the basil and the scallions on top, and use your knife to furiously chop and smash until you have a rough paste.
  • Mix the basil paste into the bowl of rice noodles. Pile the baby spinach on top. Pour at least half of the hot oil immediately over the spinach, tossing so that the heat wilts the leaves slightly. Then add the juice of the 1/2 lime and toss to combine. Taste for salt and lime juice, and add more oil as you see fit.
  • Arrange the tofu on top of the noodles, or mix them in so that the cubes hide like little treasures. For extra flair, garnish with additional sesame seeds and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 604, UnsaturatedFat 28 grams, Carbohydrate 57 grams, Fat 35 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 512 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams

TOFU & SPINACH PESTO



Tofu & Spinach Pesto image

Tofu and spinach... most people's reaction when they see those words is "Yuck!", but try this and see if your reaction is still the same :) This is an incredibly easy and tasty way to pack the benefits of spinach & the protein content of the tofu to picky eaters. Toss it into your pasta dish, replace tomato sauce on pizza with this, etc. My favourite way to eat is is spread on fresh bread. The measurements make it really easy to remember the recipe and you only need to use 1 measuring cup! I recommend you use firm tofu rather than silky because it is more nutritious. Make it ahead and have pesto on hand whenever you want it!!!

Provided by Geniale Genie

Categories     Spreads

Time 5m

Yield 20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

150 g fresh spinach leaves
2 garlic cloves (reduce if you're not a garlic fan)
1/3 cup walnut pieces
1/3 cup soft tofu (the firm kind, not the silky kind)
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated (the fresher the better)
1/3 cup water
3 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Throw everything in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper is desired (although I really don't think it's necessary).
  • Using a tray for large ice cubes (usually 16), fill each individual hole with pesto. Cover and freeze. You should have some left over- keep that to eat fresh.
  • Pop out a cube from the freezer when you're in the mood for pesto! 1 cube = 1 portions (approx.).

PESTO TOFU PASTA



Pesto Tofu Pasta image

This is a great twist on pesto pasta! It is my husband's favorite! The dish comes together in a snap!

Provided by Veronica

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 pound tri-colored spiral pasta
¼ cup olive oil
2 cups milk
1 (1.2 ounce) package creamy pesto sauce mix
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (16 ounce) package firm tofu, drained and cubed
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound fresh mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1 cup sliced black olives
1 tablespoon capers
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 sprig fresh basil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Stir in spiral pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • In a medium bowl, blend 1/4 cup olive oil, milk, and pesto sauce mix.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Place tofu in the skillet, and season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until evenly browned. Remove from heat, and drain on paper towels.
  • Place mushrooms into the skillet, and cook about 5 minutes. Stir in the olives, capers, and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Mix in the tofu and pesto sauce. Continue cooking about 5 minutes before serving over the rotini. Top with remaining Parmesan cheese and basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 351.2 calories, Carbohydrate 28.2 g, Cholesterol 7.1 mg, Fat 20.1 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 18.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 537.4 mg, Sugar 4.8 g

PASTA WITH SPINACH PESTO SAUCE



Pasta with Spinach Pesto Sauce image

A healthy, low-fat alternative to high-fat pesto sauce. Can also be made with basil or cilantro.

Provided by Sheila Martin

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 45m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 13

16 ounces fresh spinach, washed and chopped
6 ounces low-fat, firm silken tofu
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced garlic
⅛ cup low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
10 ounces fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
6 ounces fresh sliced shiitake mushrooms
½ cup diced red onion
¼ cup bacon bits
1 pound penne pasta

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • While pasta is cooking, in food processor or blender, combine spinach, tofu, lemon juice, garlic, broth, cheese, pepper, and Italian seasoning, process until smooth. Set aside.
  • Spray a large non-stick saute pan with cooking spray. Over medium heat, cook onions and mushrooms until tender. Reduce heat to low, add pesto mixture and heat until hot.
  • Toss pasta with sauce and bacon bits. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. NOTE: If sauce seems too thick, thin to desired consistency with pasta cooking water or broth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 450.8 calories, Carbohydrate 76.7 g, Cholesterol 11.1 mg, Fat 6.5 g, Fiber 6.5 g, Protein 25.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 416.6 mg, Sugar 5.8 g

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh spinach. If using frozen spinach, thaw it completely and squeeze out any excess moisture before using.
  • Use a food processor or high-powered blender to make the pesto. This will ensure that the pesto is smooth and creamy.
  • Taste the pesto before adding salt and pepper. The pesto may already be salty enough from the Parmesan cheese and pine nuts.
  • If you don't have any pine nuts, you can substitute another type of nut, such as walnuts or almonds.
  • The pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Serve the pesto with tofu, chicken, fish, or pasta.

Conclusion:

This tofu spinach pesto recipe is a quick and easy way to make a delicious and healthy meal. The pesto is flavorful and versatile, and it can be used in a variety of dishes. The tofu is a good source of protein and fiber, and it takes on the flavor of the pesto well. This recipe is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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